Accessibility Links

Armed forces and the need for frontline talent

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SHOULD BE SENT TO LETTERS@THETIMES.CO.UK

Sir, Elisabeth Braw (“Armed forces must focus on frontline talent”, Dec 28) points out that the US armed forces contain on average one general or admiral for every 1,400 troops. The US Marines are somewhat less lavishly led, with one general (one star — UK brigadier/commodore/air commodore equivalent — or above) for every 2,400 Marines.

Roughly 150,000 British soldiers, sailors and airmen are led by no fewer than 440 brigadiers or above, making a ratio of one general officer for every 340 service personnel. The UK has pro rata four times more very senior officers than the US Army, Navy and Air Force and about six times more than the US Marines. We have (far) more generals than operational tanks, more admirals than frontline ships…

Want to read more?

Subscribe now and get unlimited digital access on web and our smartphone and tablet apps, free for your first month.